SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WTHR) — Photographer Steve Rhodes and I had spent a full day shooting stories and traveling between South Bend, Elkhart and Shipshewana for our "Indiana Getaways" series. Without question, northern Indiana is beautiful on a summer day.
I was not prepared for the beauty of South Bend at night though.
The St. Joseph River, once an artery that ran though the city, but really had little meaning to most, has been transformed...into a canvas. It's called South Bend River Lights and it's a breathtaking public art installation that has bathed the river in color splashes. The color comes from two interactive light sculptures on either side of the river, which in essence, amplifies the beautiful cascade of water downtown. The display is a must see if you are visiting South Bend... especially because of it's interactivity and beauty, but also because it's the only display of it's kind in the world. The computer driven color displays change constantly and you can spend a good half hour seeing this incredible display at one of several viewing platforms along the St. Joe.
The River Lights turn on a half hour before sunset and stay on all night. Don't miss it.
Notre Dame campus at night
Nearby, on the Notre Dame campus, lights of a different kind brought me into an attitude of peace, reflection and prayer. I had heard of the Grotto Of Our Lady Of Lourdes but had never been there before at night. It was quite moving. The Grotto is one seventh the size of the famous French shrine where Saint Bernadette said the Virgin Mary appeared to her on 18 separate occasions.
A former theology student, Rev. Thomas Carroll gifted the Grotto to the University in 1896. It has a definite Hoosier history. The heavy stones and boulders , some of them as big as a car, were moved from surrounding farms. To Notre Dame students and alumni, this is a special place, where candles are lit, prayers are voiced and outdoor masses are conducted. At night, just approaching the beautiful stone structure with the lit candles...all representing requests to the Almighty instantly puts you in a respectful, reverential frame of mind.
If you know a Golden Domer who was engaged while a student, ask them...they might be one of hundreds of couples who had the question popped at The Grotto!
While Steve and I were taking these pictures a couple of folks came by to light a candle, sit and pray. It is a highlight of any trip to the campus.
